Court grants bail to Niramal Devi in sex for cash scandal case

An assistant professor from Aruppukkotai Devanga Arts College, Devi was arrested in April 2018 on charges of attempting to lure college girls to extend sexual favors for higher officials in MKU in return for better marks and financial benefits.

An assistant professor from Aruppukkotai Devanga Arts College, Devi was arrested in April 2018 on charges of attempting to lure college girls to extend sexual favors for higher officials in MKU in return for better marks and financial benefits. (Representational image)

The Madurai Bench of Madras High court on Tuesday granted bail to M. Nirmala Devi, the prime accused in the Madurai Kamraj University (MKU) sex for cash scandal case.

Justice M.Dhandapani granted conditional bail to Nirmala Devi after state government expressed no objection on her release.

An assistant professor from Aruppukkotai Devanga Arts College, Devi was arrested in April 2018 on charges of attempting to lure college girls to extend sexual favors for higher officials in MKU in return for better marks and financial benefits.

An audio clip of her alleged telephonic conversation with girl students went viral on social media.

The court granted bail after ascertaining that there were no apprehensions that the accused will try to tamper the evidence in the case.

It further restrained Devi from making any statements to the media. Devi approached the higher court after her bail plea was rejected multiple times by the lower court.

In February, the Supreme Court had granted bail to Murugan, an assistant Professor in MKU and Karuppusamy, a research scholar, the two other accused in the case.

"Nirmala Devi was arrested 11 months ago and the case was immediately transferred to CBCID. The chargesheet has been filed and the case took several twists and turns. Despite the delay, justice has been served. We humbly accept the court's bail order," said Pasumpon Pandian, counsel of Nirmala Devi.

Earlier, Devi accused the CB-CID sleuths of coercing her to obtain her confession statement. She also alleged a political conspiracy in not being granted bail.